Obituaries
Cecil Harold Osenbaugh
Cecil Harold Osenbaugh, a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, died on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Cecil, 91, of Charlotte was born on July 13, 1932, in Toledo, OH. The son of Zenith and Iva (Woodbury) Osenbaugh, he was the seventh child out of 16. He proudly served in the Army during the Korean War. On April 23, 1960 he married his sweetheart, Judith Kay Pratt, and together they spent the next 60 years creating lasting memories until her passing in 2020. Prior to having children Cecil worked in road construction. Once the kids were born, he began working in Skills Trade with General Motors until his retirement. He was also a farmer, Cecil loved farming and being able to help his friends and fellow farmers in need. Cecil and Judith enjoyed traveling, every summer they would take a family trip all over the country. They traveled through 39 different states. Two of the most notable trips were a month-long trip to Alaska, and their 25th anniversary trip to Hawaii. He will be remembered for being a family man that devoted his life to his wife and children.
Cecil is survived by his children, Judy Elaine (Edward Jr) Trailer, Robert Wayne (Robin) Osenbaugh, Frank Sherman (Tammy) Osenbaugh, Harry LaVille (Janette) Osenbaugh, Cecil Harold Osenbaugh Jr.; 22 grandchildren; 26 great-grand-children; one great-great-grandchild; brother, John Snyder; and several extended family members. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Judith Kay; his parents; and 14 siblings.
Friends are encouraged to support Cecil’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. A Funeral service followed at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating, and there was a luncheon following the service at the Kalamo Township Hall. The funeral was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Cecil’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Rodney Lee Rodgers
Rodney Lee Rodgers, 84, of Gwinn passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 26, 2023, in Washington, Missouri while visiting his son.
Rodney was born on September 9, 1939, in Lansing to Rodney C. and Virginia (Raidle) Rodgers. He was raised in Charlotte Michigan and graduated from Charlotte High School class of 1958.
On July 3, 1959, he married Anita (Hyde) Rodgers and they enjoyed 62 years together. They raised their family in Magnolia, Illinois where he worked at BF Goodrich. In 1996 they moved to Gwinn where they spent their summers and wintered in Florida.
Rodney was a very talented individual. He was a trained mechanic, pilot and a skilled carpenter, plumber and electrician. He built three of the homes they lived in and helped his sons and various others with theirs.
He was a gifted athlete holding five high school track records upon graduation and was a member of two undefeated football teams in 1956 & 1957. He was inducted into the Charlotte High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. His love for track led him to become an assistant coach at his sons’ high school and Eureka College in Illinois. He ran in 15 marathons including four Boston Marathons and participated in two Ironman Triathlons.
Rodney was an avid cyclist for over 50 years accumulated more than 300,000 miles. He cycled the perimeter of the lower 48 states and many, many other lengthy trips. He continued riding his bike right up to his passing. He even rode 82 miles on his 82nd birthday two years ago.
He loved the outdoors, traveling and gardening. He sailed the Great Loop and has been to the Minnesota Boundary Waters over 25 times, taking his sons, grandchildren, siblings and cousins.
Even with all he has done, his greatest accomplishment was the love of family and everyone he met. He had the gift of making you feel like you were the most important person when he greeted you. He truly loved spending time with family and friends.
Surviving are his four sons: Steve (Lynn) Rodgers of Gwinn, MI, Brian (Karen) Rodgers of Georgetown, TX, Jeff Rodgers of Washington, MO and Scott Rodgers of Frederick, MI; seven grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; siblings: Bob (Phyllis) Rodgers, Ann (Rob) Martell, Carol (Ron) Turkus and Joy (Joe) Batten along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceeded in death by his wife Anita on October 26, 2021, along with his parents, a sister Becky Vaught, daughter-in-law Sharon Rodgers and granddaughter Tiffany Wright.
A memorial will be held on Monday, December 4, 2023, at the Charlotte Senior Center at 1:00 p.m. There will be a luncheon to follow where family will greet relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Road to Hope for Becky’s House (named after Rodney’s sister), 1863 Liberty Avenue, Vermilion, OH 44089 or ECD Global Alliance, PO Box 775, DeRidder, LA 70634 in honor of Rodney’s brother, Bob Rodgers.
Joan Helen McDowell
Joan Helen McDowell, a loving wife, mother and grandmother of keen intellect and a dry sense of humor, died peacefully at home on Saturday, November 18, 2023. Joan was born in Detroit, MI on December 13, 1941, the daughter of Robert and Isabelle (Tewksbury) Pfaff. She grew up in Nashville, MI, where she graduated from High School in 1960. Joan attended Michigan State University, graduating in 1964 with a bachelor in English.
Joan married the love of her life, Howard Clarence McDowell on January 17, 1986, and the two happily combined their families. Joan owned her own pet store in Lansing and was also a substitute teacher at Waverly High School. After Howard retired from the State of Michigan in 1995, they spent time exploring Alaska before moving to Florida. Along the way, they did a stint volunteering at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Upon their return to Michigan, they sold their home in Lansing and moved to Nashville. They eventually settled in Charlotte in 2006, at which time they enjoyed driving motorhomes from the factory to dealerships for delivery, and vacationing on the way home. Joan was an avid reader and collector of books, and a skilled Poker player, especially Texas Hold ‘Em. She had a talent for quilting, and in recent years volunteer for the Linus Project, making quilts for hospitalized children. Above all, Joan loved her family.
Joan is survived by her husband, Howard McDowell; sons, Eric (Paula) Prinkalns and Alan Prinkalns; step-son, Jeffery McDowell; step-daughter, Patricia (Steve) Johnson; grandchildren, Doug, David, and Kyle Prinkalns; step-grandchildren, Steven McDowell, David (Veronica) Packer, Christopher (Rachel) Johnson, Nicholas Johnson, and Chelsea McDowell; step-great-grandchildren, Whitney McDowell, Annabelle Packer, Roland Packer, Victoria Packer, Vanessa Perez and Nathan Perez, Penelope Johnson, Camille Johnson, Ellie Johnson, and Avah Johnson; brother, David (Judy) Pfaff; and several extended family. She was predeceased by her parents; stepdaughter, Deborah Scarnati; step-son, John McDowell; and step-granddaughter, Tandy McDowell.
Friends are encouraged to support Joan’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 26, 2023 at Pray Funeral Home. Visitation will take place from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., prior to the service. Memorial donations may be made in Joan’s memory to a local library of choice or the Eaton Area Senior Center. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Tyler Kronberg
In loving memory of Tyler Kronberg, who passed away on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at the age of 37, due to an unexpected complication following surgery.
Born on April 13, 1986, in Lansing, Michigan, Tyler was a social soul, always eager to initiate conversations with both familiar faces and strangers alike. His joyous spirit thrived when connecting with family and friends, either through heartfelt phone calls or by spending quality time together. Tyler found immense happiness in his passions for hunting, fishing, and cheering for Michigan State and Detroit sports.
In 2020, Tyler married the love of his life, Brandy, and together they welcomed their precious daughter, Kailynn, in 2017. Recently, Tyler was pleasantly surprised to learn that he had another daughter, Summer, who is 16 years old. This revelation brought him another child to share his love with.
Tyler was an amazing, hands-on father, deeply committed to nurturing and fostering a loving environment for Kailynn. He reveled in every moment spent with Kailynn, actively engaging in her life, from bedtime stories to shared hobbies, there wasn’t a moment when he didn’t want her by his side. His dedication to fatherhood was evident in the laughter that he shared with Kailynn. Tyler’s legacy as an extraordinary father will forever be etched in the hearts of those he leaves behind.
Tyler is survived by his beloved wife Brandy and cherished daughters, Kailynn Kronberg and Summer McNamara. He is also remembered by his father, Steven Kronberg (Julie), mother, Kimberly Dills (Ned), and honorary parents, Mark and Lisa Apple. Additionally, he leaves behind his siblings: Nicholas Kronberg (Stephanie), Amber Kellogg (Andrew), Jesse Payne (Jessica), and Dustin Grow (Tori). Tyler’s memory is further carried on by his nieces and nephews: Collin, Aryana, Maycie, Drake, Vairity, Justice, Scarlett, and Levi.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, William and Sally Epps, William and Ruby Kronberg, and his mother-in-law, Debbie Apple.
In this time of sorrow, may the memories of Tyler’s vibrant personality, his unwavering commitment to fatherhood, and the love he shared with anyone in his presence provide solace to all those who mourn his loss. The family hosted a ‘Celebration of life’ for Tyler at Quail Ridge Park on Saturday, November 11.
A memorial service will be held on December 3, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Eaton Rapids Conservation Club located at 4483 Freeman Road, Eaton Rapids.You are encouraged to attend and share your Tyler stories. In the Tyler Kronberg, spirit, the more the merrier.
Memorial donations may be made payable to Brandy Apple to benefit Tyler’s daughter, Kailynn.
James Lawson Sweezey
James Lawson Sweezey, a resident of both Eaton Rapids and Houghton Lake, MI, passed away on Friday, November 17, 2023, at the age of 85. Born on September 12, 1938, in Pulaski Township, MI. He proudly graduated from Parma High School, where his athletic prowess, particularly in football, shone brightly.
On October 18, 1958, Jim married the love of his life, Barbara (Adams) Sweezey. Together, they raised two beautiful daughters. Jim began his professional journey at the Yardman Factory in Jackson, later moving on to Johnson Iron Works in Charlotte, and ultimately retiring from Spartan Motors in 1991. In retirement, he immersed himself in farming and the management of his rental properties and real estate.
Renowned for his honesty and strong work ethic, Jim conducted business with a handshake and a smile, adhering to old-fashioned principles. A natural storyteller and a sociable individual, he never met a stranger. He absolutely loved his family and cherished his wife, children, and grandchildren and was a role model for how to be a father and how to treat a woman.
He was active in his church community, first at All Saints Lutheran in Mason and later at Robbins United Methodist in Eaton Rapids. Jim loved to hunt and was a true outdoorsman. He loved a good deal and was always up for a treasure hunt at a local pawn shop. Jim’s organized nature found expression in documenting his life and family through categorized pictures and scrapbooking.
Jim is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Barbara; his beloved daughters, Deb Sweezey Hunt, and Suzanne Sweezey. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Alexandra “Ali” Hunt, Russell James “R.J.” Hunt, one brother, William (Sharon) Sweezey, numerous nieces, and nephews, and good friend, Michael Rosenberger. He is preceded in death by his parents, Hiram and Arnania (Koller) Sweezey; sister, Kathleen Holmes, and brother, Hiram Sweezey.
For those wishing to honor Jim, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To share memories or leave online condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.